James Donald Kerr

James Donald “Don” Kerr made a difference with his life. Don was born January 19, 1934. He died peacefully in Union County June 16, 2020 at the age of 86. He was born in his grandparents’ farmhouse in Marvin, land he lived on until his death. He graduated from Waxhaw High School in 1952. Don pursued agribusiness at North Carolina State University (NCSU), leaving his junior year to serve in the US Army. His tenure in the Army was with distinction; leaving the Missile Training Corps in Kitzigen, Germany as a sergeant. Returning to Union County in 1960, he formed a partnership with his parents, Joe and Virginia Kerr, and worked every day of his life in a career that he loved--farming. His was the era when cotton was king. Every aspect of production was a joy to him from preparation of the soil, to planting, nurturing, growing, fertilizing, harvesting and finally ginning at his family’s cotton gin. His passion extended to the research and development of cotton and cotton fibers for world markets. He was honored to serve on the Southern Cotton Growers Board, National Cotton Council, and the National Cotton Board for over three decades. On a local and state level, his tireless efforts to assist farmers and farm businesses was well known throughout county, state, and national Farm Bureau: the offices and committees of which he served with pleasure and distinction. He was proud to be an arbiter and proponent to help create the Union County Agricultural Center: one of the finest in the state. In later years, he enjoyed giving back to NCSU, serving for over a decade on the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Advisory Board. He loved to travel, study United States and North Carolina history, and listen to classical music. He indulged these passions by serving as a board member of the Museum of the Waxhaw’s and attending performances of the Charlotte Symphony and Union County Symphony. He is survived by his son, James M. Kerr, daughter-in-law, Dana A. Kerr, grandson, W. McCain Kerr, and sister, D. Paulette Kerr. Please take a moment to read these words of Abraham Lincoln: a copy of which he kept at his office, his home and gave copies to all close to him. “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” ----Abraham Lincoln He did a lot with the “dash” between his date of birth and date of death. He loved his family and his country. Celebrate a life well lived. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials to be sent to the J. Donald Kerr Scholarship Fund. C/O Union County Farm Bureau 1907 Concord Ave. Monroe N.C. 28110 A private memorial service will be held later this year. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service & Crematory is caring for the Kerr family.